Saturday, October 21, 2006

Yarn Shopping

Clara had orchestra this morning, so she and I left everyone sleeping and set off early for the city. I wasn't sure how I was going to put in the two hours of waiting time during rehearsal, so after I dropped her off I drove the few blocks to the shopping district near her rehearsal hall. I parked and started down the sidewalk looking in windows--it was too early for much to be open--but when I got to the yarn shop the ladies inside were convinced I needed to come in, even though it was half an hour til opening time. They opened the door and beckoned me in and oh dear! I have made it this far in my life without getting absorbed in knitting but today spelled my doom!

My mother taught me to knit when I was eleven or twelve, but I have never loved it. I did finish a couple of small projects in high school, and started another before I left for college. I took that one with me--a plum-colored wool sweater vest with a single cable running down the side--and it became a watchword in my dorm. None of the other girls had ever seen knitting up close, or seen a knitter. The joke was that I taught at least a dozen of them how to knit, and before the end of the school year they had all moved on to fantastically complicated, twelve-color sweaters I could never dream of making, while I never did finish my vest.

I was going to be able to walk right out of the yarn store this morning, but a saleslady started flipping through a Debbie Bliss book when I casually mentioned making "soft pants" for Daisy to wear under her dresses. After drooling over the gorgeous photography I started inspecting the baby garments scattered around the shop. My heart went out to the short-sleeved, collared cardigan knit in a lacy stitch (so thirties!) for a toddler, but in a moment of sanity I settled on a hat for myself, a rich and cheery pink merino which I will embellish with periwinkle crocheted flowers.

The shop ladies insisted that I sit right down and knit a swatch before they would allow me to purchase needles (the gauge!). I ran next door for a hot chocolate then got settled in. Too much fun! I was astonished at the endless parade of stylish thirty-somethings in their stacked-heel boots that came to spend their Saturday mornings in the knitting shop. All so helpful and optimistic (especially considering that some of them had only been knitting for a week). I had a lovely morning and look forward to showing off my progress during Clara's next rehearsal.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

oh dear - if you have been bitten by the knitting bug I shall expect to visit your site in a week or two to see that your house has run to wrack and ruin, your children are starving waifs and your legal work a long forsaken memory. I speak advisedly. :)

Jenny said...

Welcome to the knitting world. Enjoy yourself.

Anonymous said...

I love to knit in the autumn and winter months, especially with a nice cup of something warm, and... wait till you try this...while listening to a wonderful audiobook. My current pleasurable project is _Pride & Prejudice_ while knitting a scarf for my sister. The experience has been as much a gift to myself as it will be to her...peace and joy in every stitch!

G.L.H. said...

Welcome to another great sisterhood--you will be a great addition, I'm sure.

Love the advice from your other commenters...

Joyful House Farms said...

Anna, the advice you've received from your other commenters pursuades me even more determinedly to keep burying even deeper that urge to learn to knit that occasionally and frighteningly swells to the surface. The LAST thing I need is ANOTHER hobby! :)
(But, oh, how I know I would LOVE it- especially in the cooler seasons.)
Looking forward to what you have to share soon!
Cara

Cindi said...

I have been knitting for a while, but just learned sock knitting last year. My next project is to try mittens. I saw the cutest mittens with furry cuffs! My 11 yo dd just got interested and has started knitting.

MrsSM said...

I agree, knitting is fun! My 12 yr old dd and I are taking a class in Magic Loop sock knitting and having a blast doing it. It's hard to set the project aside when more important things come up (just ONE more row...).

Shari said...

that's wonderful! like a cozy bookestore offering coffee, but with knitting

Anonymous said...

Having been bitten again by the knitting bug recently, I understand your enthusiasm!! I've kept my knitting pretty basic, until now, but have a couple of ambitious Christmas gift/projects planned to begin soon. Just waiting for my yarn to arrive! I wish you well with your knitting, nad I'm looking forward to pictures of your finished hat!

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